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By Neil Evans

A four-year-old who hasn't raced for nearly a year is set to reignite his career for a new stable at Monday's Muswellbrook meeting.

Zucchero hasn't started since a close-up but unplaced effort in a Super Maiden Hcp over a mile at Newcastle in February 2024.

Zucchero heads to the barriers at Newcastle for Koby Jennings. Image by Bradley Photographers

That was his third and final run for the Hawkes stable in Sydney before being forced into the paddock.

Yet if all good things come to those who wait, his reemergence with the Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich yard at Scone can flick the winning switch.

Now gelded and having been taken along very slowly in the Upper Hunter, Zucchero ($1.50 favourite on TAB) resumes in a very moderate Maiden Plate over 1280m.

By staying sire Dundeel and out of a Snitzel mare, Zucchero comes off two improving 900m trials and can take rapid strides through this late summer and autumn prep.

Before all that, the stable's Hollywood-connected three-year-old on the rise can take another step up in a Benchmark 58 Hcp over 1500m to open the meeting.

Dale ($2.20 fav), a progressive son of Cox Plate runner-up Castelvecchio, is co-owned by headline actor Matt Damon.

And if he all goes to screen and script, Dale can make amends for a luckless second at this track two starts back when he ran home late to miss by a nose.

He then got things back on track by easily winning his maiden at Tamworth over a mile, and is likely to be steered towards a suitable race over the Scone carnival in May if he makes it two straight on an 11 day back-up.

The return of very warm weather (33 deg) will ensure the track remains well in Good range.

View final fields with full form & race replays for Muswellbrook here